Venice pilot issues apology, explanation on deadly beach crash

2 years ago

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL (WFLA) - An apology and explanation came from the pilot of a plane that crashed on Caspersen Beach over the weekend, killing a father and his 9-year-old daughter.

Karl Kokomoor issued a statement through pastor Victor Willis of the United Methodist Church of Englewood.

In part, the statement said Kokomoor is deeply, deeply sorry and that he will keep the Irizarry family in his prayers for as long as he lives. While Willis read the statement, Kokomoor's wife Susan and daughter Erin Clemens stood in silence.

The statement started with an apology.

"Words cannot express the sorrow I feel over the loss of Ommy Irizarry this father, and soldier and his beautiful daughter Oceana. I send my heartfelt apologies to the Irizarry family for my role in this tragic accident," Willis said as he read from Kokomoor's statement.

Kokomoor's plane struck 36-year-old Sgt. Ommy Irizarry and his daughter Oceanna. They both died from their injuries.

In the statement, Kokomoor explained he and friend David Theen were on a short sightseeing trip when the plane lost power.

"I along with David tried to fix the situation and restart the engine, but my efforts in the cockpit did not work," the statement said.

According to the statement the plane descended quickly. Kokomoor contends he spotted an area on the shore where he did not see anyone and landed the plane.